Recent content by refinedmechaninc

Elderberry Well, i cracked into my elderberry wine, bottled in December 2012. Oh man is this stuff excellent! I wasn't quite sure how to make it but i like trial and error. I only had access to dried fruit, so i rehydrated by steeping for 20 mins in hot water. Fermented with the fruit and...

I have a wife that dont like wine so, it doesnt matter if it turns out or not!!!

Ha!! LOL, my first was a crabapple rhubarb. I would have to say, anyone who had a "good" batch the first time around is either lucky or lying!!! Mine was so bad is want even good enough to be considered just bad!!!

So, about a week ago as I was wandering through my yard, I noticed there was a very large wild grapevine taking over my apple trees. Wouldn't ya know, the damn thing was bearing quite a healthy amount of fruit. I looked at it for a while and ideas went through my head. I asked my neighbor...

I love to experiment!!! I figure it goes one of two ways it turns out or it goes to hell!!!!

Soooooo, what age does the graph peak at?? I am 30, lost my G.A.S at 16!!LOL....to me this looks like a punk kids, stupid tuner subaru impreza, dyno chart.

Can I take some of this white oak I have, toast it, and throw it in secondary and get a taste like it were made in an oak barrel?? Would it matter what kind of fruits were used. Any fruits not recommended for this?? Tons of white oak firewood just dying for more of a purpose.

I know for a fact I am not the only central MN home wine maker. Is there any events in the area that are upcoming for the summer? Should I get a few people together and have a "Yummy Drink" event? I missed the craft beer expo in march in St. Cloud. What else is there? If nothing, lets get it...

I don't know about all the stuff needed to do this but, a lot of it sounds bad enough to where i would rather drink somewhat cloudy and mediocre wines with no additives. Or are these natural chemicals? Another note, if I seem to just spit out random stupid stuff, call me on it.

I do hydrate all my yeast before pitching. I was able to kickstart the blueberry again by stirring the crap out of it, wrapping it with an electric blanket, and bringing the temp up to about 80 degrees. The only reason I asked the ? in the first place is because, I thought blueberries could...

Just curious, but do most people here make wines for others or to enjoy for themselves?

Good to know. I like to experiment with things but dont like to waste or fail. I was thinking of adding it to my "Cheapo Orange" batch. Thought it may slow it down in the secondary some if were to add it. I guess the only thing to do is try it, i only have the cost of sugar and $1.25 into...

So I have figured out blueberries dont really enjoy to be fermented. This is the only fruit i have ever had (so far) go stuck. Have also only made it twice. Was curious if anyone has tried this before. Could you use a stuck blueberry must to make a ferment slow or stop in another fruit wine...

Hi to all!! New to the site, so here is a little bit about me. I am from Minnesota, am a auto technician of 12 years. Yes, a car fixer! I dabble in many things i.e. son, wife, golf, fishing, hunting, building, music from jazz to scandinavian death metal, and blah blah blah, and one of my...